Where germs lurk: Spice containers are top kitchen contaminant
Sponges for washing dishes, cloths, and cutting boards have long topped the notorious list of kitchen utensils most swarmed by bacteria. However, research results indicate another place that serves as an even greater hotspot for microbes.
11 June 2024 16:51
Maintaining order in the kitchen is not just about aesthetics. It is also where we prepare food, so hygiene is indispensable. It has long been known that sponges, cloths, and cutting boards are breeding grounds for bacteria. However, these are not the only places that harbour germs.
Where are the most bacteria found in the kitchen?
Research conducted by scientists from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 2022 shows that spice containers carry the largest contaminants in the kitchen. Moreover, these contaminants can be dangerous to health. An experiment by scientists demonstrated that nearly half of the spice containers used in the study were contaminated with salmonella. The findings were published in the "Journal of Food Protection."
According to scientists, salmonella on spice containers is due to neglect during cleaning after cooking and insufficient washing of dishes and utensils. Kitchen accessories get contaminated very easily. It only takes preparing contaminated meat, and the germs on our hands then transfer to every object we touch.
"Our research shows that any spice container you touch when you’re preparing raw meat might get cross-contaminated. You’ll want to be conscious of that during or after meal preparation" explained Donald W. Schaffner, Professor of Food Science at Rutgers University and co-author of the study.
Most contaminated places in the kitchen
Interestingly, second place in the notorious ranking created by scientists from Rutgers University goes to... the soap dispenser. Other bacterial hotspots include sinks, pet bowls, and coffee maker reservoirs. It’s worth remembering that bacteria can also transfer during the use of phones to search for recipes.
Emphasizing the importance of disinfecting surfaces and kitchen appliances is essential. We can't forget about regularly replacing dishwashing sponges and kitchen cloths, among the primary bacteria sources. Another crucial aspect is preventing cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is the process of transferring microorganisms from one contaminated product to another.
Such situations can occur if, for instance, dishes used to store raw meat or a cutting board where it was sliced are later used to prepare other products. This is why it's so important to always isolate these items, thereby preventing the transfer of bacteria.
